CAMP / CAMPING / BACKYARD CAMPOUT PARTY - Food and Drink / Game / Activity
CLAY FISH
This was a great idea that my disabled daughter did on her school camp one year. You do need a Firepit (with lots of hot ashes) - altho’ just thinking about it now; you could probably do these in the oven on a low heat setting (?)
Anyway you need the following ...
1) whole fish / fish fillets. One per kid may be too much (depending upon how much other food you have) so perhaps group kids into teams of 2, 3 or 4.
2) lumps of clay (proper natural clay - not the airdry clay from the hardware/art shops). You should be able to source this from art shops or from pottery places that make their own goods. Usually available in 2kg, 5kg or 10kg bags. Make sure the lump of clay you give each team is enough to comfortably cover their fish completely.
3) Seasonings (if desired). These aren’t necessary as the fish will cook beautifully in the clay on its own but some of you might like to add some garlic, herbs, lemon, chilli, salt/pepper etc to taste.
4) Rolling pins or the like
5) skewers / sticks - for the kids to decorate the clay with or at least write their team name on the outside so you can keep track of whose fish is whose.
Have the kids roll out their clay until it is big enough to cover the fish completely when folded over. If using a fillet then place a piece of baking paper or alfoil on the clay (approximately the same size). This ensures no clay gets in the fish flesh. If you are doing a whole fish then the skin/scales will protect the flesh and you don’t need the alfoil/baking paper. Lay the fish on one half of the clay/alfoil/etc and add seasonings if desired. Fold the free half of the clay over the fish and seal up the openings using fingers and finger pressure. Proceed to decorate and/or name the clay fish parcel. When done, the kids should pass the clay fish to a responsible adult who will attend to the cooking.
Clay Fish should be placed in the hot ashes of the Firepit and left there until the clay hardens (it turns white and you can ‘knock’ on it). When clay is hard remove them from the ashes and let cool. When cool, return them to the groups and let them break into them and eat the fish. Beware fish bones!! If whole fish have been used then maybe even have an adult separate the flesh from the bones for the kids (your call - depending on their ages).
